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Fire Protection and Life Safety In the Movie Industry

The evolution of moving picture images dates back to the late 1800s. The last 40 years have established Vancouver as a significant movie industry centre leading the way in modern production techniques. The production of films requires a fascinating array of skills- reflected in the latest digital technologies for the creation of computer animation. Production still requires locations or studio production which involves temporary construction of sets, actions and processes that rarely meet conventional levels of fire and life safety. These may include stunt action, explosions and other effects to increase the realism of any given scene. Sets themselves are often produced overnight and may be highly combustible- requiring mitigation through various means.

On average studios in the Lower Mainland are home to approximately 65+ movies and 55+ TV series annually, as well as hundreds of other filming days for commercials, TV pilots and other features. Direct spending on Film & TV production in British Columbia (BC) totalled more than $3.8 billion in 2017, making Vancouver the 3rd largest production centre in North America.

Brad Walton of CFT Engineering is going to take us through typical issues that arise in movie production and various strategies to make the facilities acceptable to local fire and building code authorities.